Leganes‘ battle to escape the La Liga relegation zone will continue on Sunday afternoon when they tackle a Sevilla outfit that could yet be pulled into trouble in the final stages of the 2024-25 campaign.
The visitors are currently 19th in the La Liga table, four points behind 17th-placed Alaves, while Sevilla occupy 15th, only five points outside of the relegation zone heading into the final straight.
Match preview
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It has been another underwhelming campaign for Sevilla, boasting a record of nine wins, 10 draws and 14 defeats from their 33 matches to collect 37 points, which has left them in 15th spot in the table, only five points above the relegation zone.
Last season, Los Nervionenses were 14th, which represented their worst campaign since being relegated back in 1999-2000, but there has not been much improvement this term.
Joaquin Caparros will manage the team for the remainder of the season, and it is the 69-year-old’s fourth spell in charge of the club; one point has been secured since his return, with the team drawing at home to Alaves before losing 1-0 to Osasuna last time out.
Sevilla have been beaten in five of their last six league matches, while they have not been victorious for almost two months, so it is not impossible to imagine them being pulled into the relegation fight late in the season.
Los Nervionenses suffered a 1-0 defeat to Leganes in the reverse match between the two sides earlier this term, but won 1-0 when the pair last locked horns at Estadio Ramon back in December 2019.
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Leganes are very much involved in a relegation battle at this stage of the campaign, with a total of 30 points from 33 matches leaving them in 19th spot, four points behind 17th-placed Alaves.
Borja Jimenez‘s side have actually only lost one of their last four league matches, with that reverse coming against Barcelona, but they have not won during that period, drawing with Osasuna, Mallorca and Girona.
El Lega have not managed to secure all three points in Spain’s top flight since March 2, and they desperately need victories in order to move out of the relegation zone at this stage of the campaign.
Leganes have found it difficult on their travels this season, posting just one victory, but they have drawn eight of their 16 on the road, while Sevilla have only five victories from their 16 league games in front of their own supporters.
Team News
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Sevilla will be without the services of Ruben Vargas due to a hamstring problem, while Tanguy Nianzou and Akor Adams remain major doubts due to muscular problems.
The home side will welcome Nemanja Gudelj back into their squad following a domestic ban, but Dodi Lukebakio will be absent due to the red card that he picked up in the team’s defeat to Osasuna last time out.
Peque Fernandez could be the player to benefit from the absence of Lukebakio, while Alvaro Garcia and Gudelj are also expected to be introduced into the starting side for Sunday’s clash.
Leganes will again be missing Enric Franquesa due to a long-term knee injury; Matija Nastasic is also out due to a thigh complaint, while Seydouba Cisse is suspended following his red card against Girona.
Adria Alti will also sit the match out through suspension, with Oscar Rodriguez, Darko Brasanac and Munir El Haddadi all potentially in line for starts against Sevilla this weekend.
Juan Cruz may be forced to change into a wing-back role due to Alti’s absence, while Munir is likely to be given the nod as part of a front two with Dani Raba.
Sevilla possible starting lineup:
Nyland; Carmona, Bade, Gudelj, Pedrosa; Agoume, Saul; Juanlu, Sow, A Garcia; Fernandez
Leganes possible starting lineup:
Dmitrovic; Rosier, Saenz, Gonzalez, J Hernandez, J Cruz; Brasanac, O Rodriguez, Tapia; Raba, Munir
We say: Sevilla 1-1 Leganes
Lukebakio’s absence for Sevilla is a major blow considering his goal threat, and we are finding it difficult to back the hosts with any real confidence this weekend due to their struggles, with the points potentially being shared in a low-scoring draw.
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